Racing event on football turf: Kerala's EMS Stadium in shambles after Indian Supercross Racing League finale

Calicut's EMS Stadium is one of the iconic sports venues in the district. While it is a multi-purpose stadium by design, the stadium is essentially used for football. For those unaware, the EMS Stadium is the home venue for the I-League club Gokulam Kerala FC. Unfortunately, the football turf of the stadium is now in tatters after an unfortunate incident.

On December 21, a bike racing event called the Indian Supercross Racing League finale was conducted at the stadium. This event was organized after getting prior approval from the muncipal corporation and the football association. The general feedback to such an incoming event was on skeptical levels, considering that a bike racing event requires tougher terrains than a football-centric venue.

The green pastures, or the turf, is a pivotal part of EMS Stadium and the priority plan of organizers was to use large bases of sand to cover the turf. Another layer of sheets was also slated to be used over this layer and although all this was done, it didn't suffice to withstand the immense pressure of the bike racing event.

Subsequently, the turf grass has ended in shambles and the venue now paints a sorry picture. The EMS Stadium is owned by the Calicut corporation but they had leased it out to the football association in 2024-25. The only condition was that the venue would only be used for conducting football matches.

Strangely, the set of rules put forward by the corporation to the football association were not followed during the bike racing event. However, it is also being alleged that key members from the corporation and football association had an unofficial agreement between themselves despite knowing the risk behind such an event.